The Army Career Skills Program (CSP) is similar to the DoD SkillBridge program, offering a fantastic opportunity to gain civilian work experience before you transition out of the military.
The main differences are:
1) it has less strict requirements for the company you’ll intern with
2) is only for Army servicemembers. Here's how to participate.
The Army Career Skills Program (CSP) is similar to the DoD SkillBridge program, offering a fantastic opportunity to gain civilian work experience before you transition out of the military.
The main differences are:
1) it has less strict requirements for the company you’ll intern with
2) is only for Army servicemembers.
Here's how to participate.
The Army CSP allows eligible soldiers to participate in job training, apprenticeships, or internships during their last 180 days of service. It's designed to help you transition smoothly into civilian employment.
Check Your Eligibility To be eligible, you must:
Look for CSP opportunities that align with your career goals. These can include apprenticeships, on-the-job training, job shadowing, or internships. Soldiers can establish their own internship opportunities with a company that is not an approved program at the installation. The packet will go through the Legal, IMCOM, and CSP office for approval. Soldiers are responsible for: locating the company, explaining the Army's program to the company, and getting the company to agree to participate.
Reach out to your installation's CSP coordinator. They can provide information about local opportunities and guide you through the application process.
Select a program that interests you and matches your skills. Remember, the goal is to find employment after your service.
Submit a request to your unit commander for participation in the CSP. Include details about the program and how it will benefit your transition.
Work with your CSP coordinator to complete all necessary paperwork, including any agreements between the Army and the participating organization.
Once approved, start preparing for your program. This might include gathering necessary equipment or completing any pre-program requirements.
During your CSP, maintain professionalism and treat it like a job. This is your opportunity to impress potential employers.
As you near the end of your CSP, work on your resume, highlighting the skills you've gained. If the organization doesn't offer you a job, use your new experience to apply for positions elsewhere.
The Army CSP is an excellent way to jumpstart your civilian career and gives Army servicemembers more choice for their internship than SkillBridge alone at the end of the service.
